US20080149644A1

US20080149644A1 - Drainage grid for a dish dripping device and dish dripping device using the same

Info

Publication number: US20080149644A1
Application number: US12/002,383
Authority: US
Inventors: Raffaele Piacenza; Marco Alessandro Piacenza
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-12-19
Filing date: 2007-12-17
Publication date: 2008-06-26
Also published as: ITMI20062427A1; EP1935324A1

Abstract

A drainage grid (12) for a dripping device (10) comprising a first flat portion of grid (14) to which a second flat portion of grid (15) is constrained, said second portion (15) can rotate around a first axis (21) defined by a border line between said first (14) and said second (15) portion.

A third flat portion of grid (16) is constrained to the second portion (15), said third portion (16) can rotate around a second axis (22) defined by a border line between said second (15) and said third (16) portion.

Description

The present invention relates to a drainage grid for a dish dripping device and a dripping device using the same.
Devices for the dripping of dishes, normally used in small-sized kitchens, as a substitute of or in addition to specific drainage wall-cupboards called “draining racks”, are known in the field of household articles.
Said devices normally consist of a drainage grid on which the wet dishes are positioned to keep them slightly suspended, thus facilitating the precipitation of the residual water and accelerating the drying of the same.
In the most advantageous embodiments, the grid is also equipped with a collection basin, positioned below the device, for collecting the drips.
This basin prevents the formation of pools on the surface on which the dripping device rests, in particular when a large quantity of dishes must be left to drip. Furthermore, said basin, by collecting the drips, prevents the formation of calcareous residues on the supporting surface, after the drips have dried, which are normally aggressive and harmful for the surface itself.
The known devices normally appear as an essentially rectangular container, open on the upper side and containing a drainage grid consisting of variously shaped cells, for example square, rectangular or undulating.
The known drainage grids can be substantially distinguished as a result of the main development of their structure. A first type has a vertical extension, which facilitates an optimized positioning of the dishes, so that the surface offered by the dripping device can be better exploited, thus increasing its capacity.
A second type, on the contrary, has a flat structure substantially housed in the collection basin like a painting in its frame. The flat structure of the drainage grid offers several advantages with respect to grids with a vertical structure, among which a reduced encumbrance, the possibility of being used as a supporting surface, when free of dishes, and an improved overall aesthetic appearance.
These devices with a flat drainage grid, however, have various drawbacks. In particular, they do not offer a stable support for the vertical positioning of the dishes.
The wet dishes must consequently be laid flat on the drainage grid, thus occupying considerable space and consequently providing a reduced capacity of the dripping device.
A general objective of the present invention is to solve the above drawbacks of the known art, in an extremely simple, economical and functional manner.
Another objective is to conceive a flat drainage grid for a dripping device which allows a vertical and safe positioning of the dishes.
A further objective is to provide a dripping device having a large capacity combined with a reduced encumbrance and which can act as a supporting surface when empty.
In view of the above objectives, according to the present invention, a drainage grid for a dripping device for dishes has been conceived, together with the relative device, having the characteristics specified in the enclosed claims.

The structural and functional characteristics of the present invention and its advantages with respect to the known art will appear even more evident by examining the following description, referring to the enclosed drawings, which show a practical embodiment of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the dripping device according to the invention in a first configuration of use;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the dripping device according to the invention in a second configuration of use;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the dripping device according to the invention in a third configuration of use;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the drainage grid according to the invention in the configuration of use according to FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a drainage grid according to the invention in an extended configuration.

With reference to the drawings, the device for the dripping of dishes in question is indicated as a whole with 10 and includes a drip collection basin 11 in which a drainage grid 12 having a flat structure, according to the invention, is positioned.
The collection basin 11 described in the illustrative and non-limiting embodiment, has a rectangular form with rounded corners, but it can have any other geometrical shape suitable for the purpose.
Said collection basin 11, moreover, preferably has, along two opposite sides of its perimeter, two gripping elements 13 for easier transporting of the dripping device 10.
The drainage grid 12, according to the invention, comprises a first flat portion 14 consisting of a series of parallel elongated elements 19, separated by a series of connecting bridges 20. This first portion, regardless of the configuration of the dripping device 10, is horizontally housed in the basin 11.
The drainage grid 12 also comprises a second portion 15, rotatingly constrained around a first axis defined by line 21 along which the first portion 14 and the second 15 portion border, and a third portion 16 rotatingly constrained to a second axis defined by the border line 22 between the second portion 15 and the third portion 16.
The second portion 15 of the grid 12 also consists of a set of elongated elements 19, parallel and distanced by a series of bridges, whereas the third portion 16 of the grid 12 preferably has cells 17 having an elongated oval or rectangular form.
In correspondence with the border line 21 between the first portion 14 and the second 15 portion of the grid, the respective elongated elements 19 have a reduced thickness 23 to form a weakened line, which allows the rotation of the second portion 15 around the first axis 21.
The two portions 14 and 15 can obviously be produced separately and can be hinged to each other by means of pins.
Said elongated elements 19 preferably have a rounded termination 23, in correspondence with said border line 21.
Similarly, also in correspondence with the border line 22 between the second portion 15 and the third portion 16 of the grid 12, said portions have a reduced thickness 24 which forms a weakened line.
As shown in the embodiment described, the second portion 15 and third portion 16 are preferably each subdivided into two independent sub-portions 15 a, 15 b and 16 a, 16 b.
The particular structure of the drainage grid 12, according to the invention, allows it to be arranged with different configurations, according to the particular use of the dripping device 10.
In a rest position shown in FIG. 1, the drainage grid 12 is completely housed inside the collection basin 11 and in particular the first portion 14 and the second portion 15 of the grid form the supporting surface of the dripping device 10, whereas the third portion 16 of the grid is positioned below the second portion 15, in a folded configuration.
FIG. 2 shows a first operational configuration, in which a sub-portion 15 a, 15 b, 16 a, 16 b of the second portion 15 and third portion 16 of the grid are tilted with respect to the first portion 14 of the grid, so as to form a prismatic structure with the collection basin 11, having a triangular section.
Analogously, FIG. 3 shows a second operational configuration in which the whole second 15 and third 16 grid portions are tilted with respect to the first portion 14, so as to form a prismatic structure with the collection basin 11, having a triangular section.
The third portion 16 is advantageously equipped with holding flaps 18 which facilitate the lifting of the second portion 15 and third portion 16 of the grid 12 to move them from a folded resting position to an operational configuration.
In both of the operational configurations, the lifted grid portions 12 act as a support for the vertical housing of the dishes, thus increasing, when necessary, the capacity of the dripping device. Furthermore, in the grid cells 17 of the third portion 16, cutlery, for example, can be inserted, to keep it lifted, thus occupying a smaller dripping surface.
When not in use, on the contrary, the dripping device can be put in a rest configuration, in which it has a flat structure and therefore has an encumbrance similar to the known dripping devices using grids with an exclusively horizontal development.
According to the particular use requirements of the device, it is consequently sufficient to pass from the rest configuration to the operational configuration, to obtain the advantage of the possibility of safely housing the dishes in a vertical position and with the reduced encumbrance characteristic of the known dripping devices.
From what is described above with reference to the figures, it can be seen how the drainage grid for the dripping device of dishes according to the present invention and the dripping device using the same, is particularly useful and advantageous.
The objective mentioned in the preamble of the description for providing a drainage grid for dripping device which, even if having a reduced encumbrance, allows a safe vertical configuration of dishes, is thus achieved.
A dripping device using said drainage grid therefore has the advantage of a high capacity and can also act as a supporting plane when empty.
The embodiments of the drainage grid and relative dripping device according to the invention, as also the materials, can be obviously differ from those shown as a non-limiting example in the drawings.
The rotation hinges of the grid portions, for example, which, in the embodiment described, are produced by means of weakened lines of the same portions, can be obtained by suitable means, such as a rotation pin.
The protection scope of the invention is therefore delimited by the enclosed claims.

Claims

1. A drainage grid (12) for a dripping device (10) characterized in that it comprises a first flat portion of grid (14) to which a second flat portion of grid (15) is constrained, said second portion (15) being rotatable around a first axis (21) defined by a border line between said first (14) and said second (15) portion, a third flat portion of grid (16) being constrained to the second portion (15), said third portion (16) being rotatable around a second axis (22) defined by a border line between said second (15) and said third (16) portion.

2. The drainage grid (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that said second (15) and third (16) portions include at least two independent sub-portions of grid (15 a, 15 b, 16 a, 16 b).

3. The drainage grid (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that said first portion (14) and said second portion (15) of grid comprise a series of elongated elements (19) arranged parallel and distanced by a series of connecting bridges (20).

4. The drainage grid (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that said third (16) portion includes a series of cells (17) having an elongated form.

5. The drainage grid (12) according to claim 3, characterized in that, in correspondence with said border line (21) between said first portion (14) and said second (15) portion of grid, said elongated elements (19) have a reduced thickness (23).

6. The drainage grid (12) according to claim 5, characterized in that said elongated elements (19) have a rounded termination, in correspondence with said reduced thickness (23).

7. The drainage grid (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that in correspondence with said border line (21) between said first portion (14) and said second portion (15) of grid, said portions (14, 15) are constrained by a rotation pin.

8. The drainage grid (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that, in correspondence with said border line (22) between said second portion (15) and said third (16) portion of grid, said portions (15, 16) have a reduced thickness (24).

9. The drainage grid (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that, in correspondence with said border line (22) between said second portion (15) and said third portion (16) of grid, said portions (15, 16) are constrained by a rotation pin.

10. The drainage grid (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that said third portion (16) includes at least one holding flap (18).

11. A dripping device (10) comprising a drip collection basin (11) in which a drainage grid (12) according to claim 1 is housed.

12. The dripping device (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that said basin (11) has at least one holding element (13) along its perimeter.

13. The dripping device (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that said dripping device (10) has a rest configuration, when said first (14) and said second (15) portion of grid are housed in said basin (11), forming a surface and said third portion (16) of grid is positioned below said second portion (15) in a folded position, and an operational configuration, when at least one sub-portion (15 a, 15 b, 16 a, 16 b) of said second (15) and said third (16) portion of grid are tilted with respect to said first portion (14) of grid so as to form a prismatic structure with a triangular section, with said collecting basin (11).